Potentially. Individuals can receive benefits for what is called “partial unemployment.” States allow individuals who have had their hours reduced to file for unemployment benefits to make up some of the wages that are lost. In some states, an individual may even be considered totally unemployed in a week in which a predetermined, small amounts of wages are earned.
While each state has their own computation for determining if an individual is eligible, a good rule of thumb is that individuals who are earning less than their weekly benefit amount may be eligible for some benefit from the state. Some states will offset a portion of the claimant's earnings (subtract a portion of their earnings to arrive at a smaller earnings amount) to help more people qualify for partial benefits.
Additional Considerations:
- If your gross earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount, the state will calculate your partial benefit amount by deducting your earnings dollar for dollar from your weekly benefit amount minus any earnings disregard. The amount left is what your partial benefit amount will be for that week.
- Please be aware that unemployment benefits count as taxable wages so the amount of your weekly payment will be the “net” amount after taxes are taken out.